Way Finders

Way Finders' offices and Housing Centers are closed Friday, September 20th for our annual staff appreciation picnic. See you Monday!

Do you own residential rental property, or aspire to someday? Way Finders’ Landlord Workshop offers an overview of basic residential rental property management in Massachusetts, including an intro to the state laws that govern the rental relationship. Delivered by Fair Housing Manager H. John Fisher. Join us! - Landlord Workshop (virtual Zoom webinar) - Saturday, September 21, from 9 am to 2 pm. - Covers rights + responsibilities of landlords in Massachusetts (tenant screening and relations, lead paint, fair housing, and more) plus available programs and resources. Learn more and register ($119.95—includes a comprehensive property management manual) at https://zurl.co/isp7 Note: Satisfies the course requirement for first-time buyers of multi-family homes.

There are wants. There are needs. There are things to learn. There are things to unlearn. For you, your partner, your children. Financial literacy is for everyone in your household! Take the lead for your loved ones by joining our September Credit Success Workshop. Held in person on Monday, September 23, from 10 am to 1 pm, at our Springfield Housing Center. Includes lunch. Free + open to the public. Wherever you are in your personal finance journey, we’ve got tips and info that you can use to bring your hopes and goals more within reach. For ex, you’ll learn to: - Build or establish credit - Pay down debt - Shake up routines for budgeting, spending, saving - Get into a position to make an important investment in your future (car, home, education). To register: https://zurl.co/5z8l

Meet 2024 Family Self-Sufficiency Program graduate Nariada Arroyo of Springfield, a homecare supervisor with Golden Years Homecare Services. She doesn’t pretend to have it all figured out. But she is well on her way—and is going after what she wants. In her words: “Even as I grew in my pay rate, living, to this day, is a struggle because the cost of living has gone drastically up. I haven’t mastered my finances. But I have been able to see where my weaknesses are and where my strengths are, and try to level it out to balance. Everything is on my phone, for managing my finances and credit. I can tap and see it all through there. These days, every time I open up my bank account and see the amount, I’m like, ‘Really?’ I feel blessed. I hope to put it toward my home purchase.” Read Nariada’s story. https://zurl.co/09No

As a new homeowner, Danielle of Chicopee envisioned she’d gradually make some modifications to her home for the safety and comfort of her daughter, who has autism. Things like a sensory room and safeguards for outdoor play. That is, until she learned about the Home Modification Loan Program, a state-funded program that provides 0% interest loans up to $50,000 to homeowners so they can make modifications for increased safety, independence, and accessibility. In her words: “The program is absolutely amazing. It’s set in place to help families in need who are elderly or have disabilities. It’s super convenient, you can get what you need done to make your house comfortable and safe for your loved one without having to pay out of pocket upfront. And now our house is so comfortable, my daughter is living her best life. She’s in her sensory room, we call it her art room, much more than her bedroom. These changes gave me peace of mind.” Read Danielle’s full story and learn more about the Home Modification Loan Program. https://zurl.co/PlmH

Home for the holidays? You might be—let’s get you ready and prepared. Register now for our September First-time Homebuyer Workshop, held as three live webinars (9/11, 9/18, 9/25) from 5:30 to 8:30 pm. Upon completion, you’ll receive a certificate needed to pursue special mortgage products and down payment assistance programs. Participants may then say YES to follow-up coaching from our trained staff. A window into this transformational work: “It was kind of unbelievable to me, but after we put it all out there, on paper and the charts and stuff, I was really seeing it. That I have the ability to do it financially. I have a more positive outlook on everything after working with staff. And that makes me feel better about myself.” The cost is $50 per household. To register: https://lnkd.in/eH_4WQYT

We’re feeling back-to-school vibes, how about you (future homebuyer)? Come learn with us at Way Finders’ First-time Homebuyer Workshop. Held as a live webinar series over three Wednesdays this September (9/11, 9/18, 9/25) from 5:30 to 8:30 pm. The cost is $50 per household. To register: https://zurl.co/J1wG You’ll learn how to find a home that works for your buying power—and how to finance, purchase, and maintain it. Upon completion, you’ll receive a certificate needed to pursue several down payment assistance programs and special mortgage products. Join us! Or spread the word to someone who you think might want to learn with us!

Because you never know when your dream home will pop up on the market! Lilian Ayala knew exactly what she could afford and what she most valued (location!), thanks to Way Finders’ First-time Homebuyer Workshop and support from Senior Loan Officer Ben Cartagena of @Citizens. When she saw it, she was ready to make a bid—even as she headed out of town. In her words: “I remember the day I saw the listing, I just happened to look online before we left to go camping, and there it was. I said, ‘West Springfield? Two- family home? Two blocks down from where I currently live? Well underpriced? Just shy of an acre? Look at that yard space! Oh, my goodness! Let’s do an offer!’ Literally, I didn’t see the house until inspection day. It’s my dream home, the right location, the right space.” Read Lilian’s full story. https://zurl.co/hX4f

Climate justice work in the City of Springfield just received a big boost from the @U.S. Environmental Protection Agency - a $20 million grant to help advance the Green and Resilient Springfield initiative. The goal: advance the city’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction goals, educate residents on innovative technologies and effective strategies, and reduce current risks and pollutants. The initiative includes workforce development programs, helping residents access high-quality jobs created through these efforts. @Congressman Richard Neal joined Springfield Mayor Dominic Sarno in recognizing city staff and partner organizations' hard work in advancing its Green and Resilient Springfield initiative. Included in group picture are partners on the EPA grant – Way Finders, @Public Health Institute of Western MA , @Pioneer Valley Planning Commission , @Arise for Social Justice , @Revitalize CDC , @Regreen Springfield , and @City of Springfield, MA - Office of Communications READ MORE HERE: https://lnkd.in/euAKuhVY

Gratitude to Fontaine Bros., Inc. for supporting Way Finders at their 3rd Annual Community Foundation Golf Tournament at the Longmeadow Country Club - to the tune of $10,000! Thanks to Fontaine's Elizabeth Wambui, Dave Fontaine, Sr., David Fontaine, Jr., Way Finders' Board Chair Jasmine Naylor, and Megan Pete. And thanks to all the participants who know how to have a good time while doing good.